The last time Newcastle United came to Stamford Bridge they lost 5-1 and the reckoning that accounted for Steve McClaren was looming over the horizon.

Under Rafa Benitez there was none of the feckless ill discipline that consigned McClaren’s mob to such a heavy defeat but in its own way, this defeat comes with an even bigger black and white health warning.

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McClaren’s 5-1 defeat was the penultimate act of a group who were talented but lacked organisation and motivation. It was a group that had given up: they had ability but not the work ethic or commitment that was required to drag themselves out of the relegation mix. It was a team full of internationals – the hope that a better manager might get more out of them meant a change in management was justified.

This time around, United have the fundamentals that were lacking in their last Premier League misadventure. And there was certainly a plan here too – devised to try and cover up the deficiencies that have been created by a relegation followed by the owner Mike Ashley’s decision to pull back the drawbridge when it comes to investment. There was also no shortage of effort, determination or willingness from the men in black and white.

And that is where the worry comes from. Is there sufficient improvement to be squeezed from this group to keep them out of the really frantic end-of-season survival stuff? Benitez is sure there is but the jury is still out. Anxious supporters are having to draw on every bit of the faith that Benitez has earned to stop them from drawing their own conclusions.

It is not true to say there is no quality at Newcastle. Mikel Merino showed it in flashes at Stamford Bridge and for 15 minutes United were the better side. They were camped in Chelsea’s half and clearly caught Antonio Conte’s men on the backfoot with a performance brimming with industry and endeavour.

When they took the lead it was not against the run of play. Dwight Gayle now has goals at Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge: if Benitez isn’t going to go with Aleksandar Mitrovic, the number nine is his only option. Joselu – benched after failing to show against Watford or West Brom – was not really missed.

But Newcastle’s stout defence was once again undermined by the sort of individual errors that have cost them points since their form dropped in October. Under pressure Florian Lejeune, having the sort of dip that you’d expect from someone in their first Premier League season, made an interception that diverted the ball into Eden Hazard’s path. He did not need an invitation.

Then Matt Ritchie – who was pressed into action as a left-back to supplement a five-man defence – played the poorest of defensive headers in the run-up to Alvaro Morata’s second goal.

That was all it took. Newcastle worked hard to try and find a foothold in the game but it was beyond them and that is the worry at the moment: there is no quick fix, even if January investment is critical to their survival hopes. There is a growing lobby to recall Mitrovic or give Rolando Aarons a chance. The return of Christian Atsu and Jamaal Lascelles will help. None would make an instant, game-changing impact.

The answer Benitez has is to “keep working hard”. Newcastle fans should take some comfort from the effort that is being expended at the club – from every player and the management team – to correct this run and that they are fighting head to arrest the decline.

It feels as though this is going to be a very rough ride to safety. Newcastle are in the middle of the storm but if endeavour and effort make a difference, they should – just – ride it out.